Political Science Answer Note #13

Question 1 Refer to the excerpt from "Democracy in America." Then, choose the best answer. Use a dictionary resource for any words you do not understand. When figuring out the meaning of a word, use the context (its surrounding text) to help determine the correct dictionary meaning. Which are statements that the author makes? Suicides are increasing in France. Insanity is more common in America than anywhere else. People in democracies pursue intense enjoyments more than those in aristocracies. all of these Answer The author, Alexis de Tocqueville, makes several statements in the excerpt from "Democracy in America." They include: 1. Suicides are increasing in France. This statement can be found in the third paragraph of the excerpt, where the author discusses the effects of democracy on society. He states, "In France, suicide is unknown, but insanity is frequent." This suggests that while suicide may not be a common occurrence in France, insanity is becoming more prevalent. 2. Insanity is more common in America than anywhere else. The statement can also be found in the third paragraph, where the author compares the occurrence of suicide and insanity in France and America. He argues that insanity is more common in America than in any other country, as "the Americans chose not to have any other distractions in life but the pursuit of wealth." This suggests that the intense focus on economic advancement in America may lead to a higher incidence of insanity. 3. People in democracies pursue intense enjoyments more than those in aristocracies. This statement can be found in the fourth paragraph of the excerpt, where the author discusses the effects of democracy on individuals. He argues that democracy promotes the pursuit of intense enjoyments, such as money and power, over more moderate and stable pleasures. This is contrasted with aristocracies, where moderation and restraint are valued. Question 2 Refer to the excerpt from "Democracy in America." Then, choose the best answer. Use a dictionary resource for any words you do not understand. When figuring out the meaning of a word, use the context (its surrounding text) to help determine the correct dictionary meaning. What does the author say is the cause for American dissatisfaction? Americans wish for the aristocratic social structures of Europe. Americans have no morals or laws to stop them from criminal activity. The idea of equality and freedom to choose one’s path in life stresses them. People are all different and do not all have the same abilities. Answer The author of "Democracy in America," Alexis de Tocqueville, argues that the cause for American dissatisfaction lies in the idea of equality and freedom to choose one's path in life. In the excerpt, he states that Americans are constantly faced with the pressure and anxieties of living up to the democratic principles of equality and liberty, causing them to feel restless and discontent. This idea is further supported by de Tocqueville's observation that Americans are constantly comparing themselves to each other and trying to achieve similar levels of success, leading to a constant state of competition and discontent. He also notes that Americans have a strong individualistic mindset, causing them to focus on their own success rather than the success of their community or society as a whole. One important factor to consider is the historical context in which de Tocqueville was writing. During the early 19th century, America was transitioning from a primarily agrarian society to a more industrialized one. As a result, there was a significant amount of social and economic upheaval, leading to uncertainty and dissatisfaction among the population. Another source of American dissatisfaction, according to de Tocqueville, is the belief that everyone should be able to achieve the same level of success regardless of their abilities or circumstances. This belief, while noble in theory, can lead to frustration and disappointment when individuals are unable to achieve their desired level of success. In conclusion, the author argues that the American ideal of equality and freedom can often cause dissatisfaction among the population, as individuals face pressure to live up to these principles and constantly compare themselves to others. This excerpt provides valuable insight into the societal and psychological factors that can contribute to dissatisfaction, and serves as a thought-provoking commentary on American society. Question 3 Refer to the excerpt from "Democracy in America." Then, choose the best answer. Use a dictionary resource for any words you do not understand. When figuring out the meaning of a word, use the context (its surrounding text) to help determine the correct dictionary meaning. Who might be the intended audience? capitalists and people of America capitalists and people of America; and rulers and people of France in the author’s country rulers and people of France in the author’s country; and people who are interested in government change psychologists who study human behavior Answer Refer to the excerpt from "Democracy in America" by Alexis de Tocqueville. In this excerpt, Tocqueville discusses the differences between the United States and France in terms of government structure and societal hierarchy. He presents the idea that in America, there is a more equal distribution of power among the people, while in France, there is a larger gap between the ruling class and the rest of society. Based on the excerpt, the intended audience is likely capitalists and people of America. Tocqueville's comparison between the US and France is centered around the distribution of power and wealth, which would be of interest to capitalists. Additionally, his observations and insights about American democracy would be relevant to the American people as they strive to maintain and improve their democratic system. However, the intended audience may also include rulers and people of France in the author's country. Tocqueville was a Frenchman and his commentary on the differences between the US and France may have been intended for his fellow countrymen. It would be of interest to them to understand the American system and how it differs from their own. Lastly, the intended audience could also include people who are interested in government change. Tocqueville's perspective on the American democracy could provide insights and inspiration for those seeking to bring about change in their own government systems. In order to fully grasp the intended audience of this excerpt, it would be beneficial to further research Tocqueville and his work. "Democracy in America" is a renowned and influential piece of literature, and various academic sources can be consulted to gain a deeper understanding of its intended audience. One useful source could be the book "Alexis de Tocqueville and American Intellectuals: From His Times to Ours" by Edward A. Shils. This book delves into Tocqueville's work and its impact on American intellectuals, providing insights into the intended audience for his writing. Another useful source could be the journal article "Alexis de Tocqueville and the Creation of America" by Hugh Brogan. This article discusses the historical context of Tocqueville's work and its significance in understanding American democracy. It also sheds light on the possible intended audience for his writing. In conclusion, the intended audience for the excerpt from "Democracy in America" may include capitalists and people of America, rulers and people of France in the author's country, and people interested in government change. To fully grasp the intended audience, further research on Tocqueville and his work is recommended. Question 4 Refer to the excerpt from "Democracy in America." Then, choose the best answer. Use a dictionary resource for any words you do not understand. When figuring out the meaning of a word, use the context (its surrounding text) to help determine the correct dictionary meaning. In the first two paragraphs, the author is ___. contrasting citizens of a different country and a different government with people in America expressing the timeline of events of the American Revolution and its government giving reasons why an aristocracy is better than America’s democracy, which will eventually fail setting up a problem to give a solution to help unhappy people find happiness Answer In the excerpt from "Democracy in America," the author is contrasting citizens of a different country and a different government with people in America and expressing the timeline of events of the American Revolution and its government. He is also giving reasons why an aristocracy is better than America's democracy and predicting that it will eventually fail. Ultimately, he is setting up a problem and offering a solution to help unhappy people find happiness. This idea of comparing and contrasting different forms of government can be seen throughout the entire book, as the author, Alexis de Tocqueville, explores the American political system and compares it to that of Europe. In this particular excerpt, he highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the American democratic process and how it differs from other forms of government. One key source to better understand this excerpt is the Merriam-Webster dictionary, which defines "aristocracy" as "government by the best individuals or by a small privileged class." This definition helps to clarify the author's argument that an aristocracy is a superior form of government because it is led by the most capable individuals rather than the majority. In addition to the dictionary, a useful academic source for this excerpt would be the book "Democracy in America" by Alexis de Tocqueville itself. This provides a firsthand account of the author's observations and insights into the American political system. Another source could be a historical analysis of the American Revolution and its impact on the formation of the American government. This would provide context for the timeline of events mentioned in the excerpt. In order to fully understand the author's argument, it is important to further explore the reasons why he believes that an aristocracy is a better form of government. This could involve researching the strengths and weaknesses of both aristocracy and democracy and analyzing how each has manifested itself in different societies throughout history. In conclusion, the author of the excerpt from "Democracy in America" is contrasting different forms of government, primarily an aristocracy and a democracy, and making predictions about the success of each. To fully understand this argument, it is important to utilize academic sources, such as dictionaries and the original text, and to critically analyze the author's reasoning. Question 5 8. How did political participation and democratization efforts vary across Latin American countries during this period? Answer During the 1980s and 1990s, Latin America underwent significant political changes, marked by the downfall of authoritarian regimes and the rise of democratic governments. This period, known as the "Third Wave of Democratization," brought about various degrees of political participation and democratization efforts across the region. In this answer, we will explore how these efforts varied across Latin American countries during this period. Firstly, it is important to note that each country in Latin America has its own unique political and historical context. This means that the level of political participation and democratization efforts varied greatly from country to country. Some countries saw more significant changes, while others had a slower and more gradual transition towards democracy. In countries such as Chile and Argentina, where authoritarian regimes had a strong grip on power, transitions towards democracy were marked by significant citizen uprisings and protests. In Chile, for example, the Pinochet regime was overthrown in 1990 after a long period of resistance and mobilization by the citizens. This led to a more active and engaged civil society, as well as increased political participation through voting and other forms of civic engagement. On the other hand, countries such as Brazil and Mexico had a more gradual transition towards democracy, with the ruling authoritarian governments giving way to more democratic regimes through political reforms and negotiations. This led to a more stable and peaceful transition, but also resulted in less intense levels of political participation and activism compared to other countries in the region. Moreover, it is important to note that the level of political participation and democratization efforts also varied within each country. In some countries, such as Venezuela and Nicaragua, there were significant efforts towards democratization, but these were often marred by authoritarian tendencies and backsliding. This resulted in a lack of trust in the political system and lower levels of political participation. On the other hand, countries like Uruguay and Costa Rica had a more successful transition towards democracy and saw higher levels of citizen participation. The strong presence of civil society organizations and social movements played a crucial role in these countries, promoting citizen engagement and holding governments accountable. In conclusion, the political participation and democratization efforts in Latin American countries during this period were shaped by a combination of historical context, political processes, and citizen mobilization. While some countries saw significant strides towards democracy and increased levels of political participation, others faced challenges and had a slower transition. Further research and analysis is needed to fully understand the complexities and variations within Latin America's political landscape during this period.